Coping with contractions

Your contractions will become more frequent and occur for longer, and stronger, once your cervix has dilated (opened) to around four or five centimeters. Once your contractions become more frequent, your labour usually progresses quite quickly, all of which means you are well and truly in labour.

Women will experience contractions quite differently. For some, it may feel strongest in their back, for others it occurs more in their abdomen. Early contractions may feel like menstrual cramps. As your contractions progress, the intensity may vary - with one contraction very strong, followed by a weaker one. This is common.

Being able to cope with your contractions will help you through the labour and subsequent birth. Yes, it can be painful and scary and it is normal to feel helpless and out of control, but there are things you can do to help yourself cope with contractions :

Make the most of your support person. Sometimes being able to grip onto your support person physically - perhaps with your arms around him or her as he supports you - can help you relax and focus on breathing.

Find a comfortable position. You may need to change positions with each of the first few contractions to see what works best for you. If you feel yourself panicking and unable to relieve the discomfort, ask your midwife for advice about what positions might help.

At the start of each contraction, take a deep breath and sigh out. Continue to breathe evenly.

Don't be afraid to cry out or shout if it helps. The medical staff and midwives have heard it all before.

In between contractions, try to relax your body and let your shoulders drop. Too much tension will only make the contractions feel worse.

Ask your support person for a massage - rubbing your lower back may help.

A hot pack on your lower back or abdomen may also offer some relief.

Pain relief

Some women are able to cope with contractions using relaxation techniques, breathing and massage. For others, medication to ease the pain is preferred. Don't feel like you have failed if you want to ask for pain relief through medication. There are a number of options available depending on the stage of labour you are at.

Inhaled nitrous oxide and oxygen (gas):

Breathing nitrous oxide and oxygen (gas) can provide some pain relief. You can control how much gas you breathe in, and many women find it provides good pain relief during their labour.

Pethidine:

Another pain relieving method is an injection of a narcotic, such as pethidine. These narcotics are strong painkillers that may cause drowsiness or nausea. Sometimes an anti-nausea drug is given with the pethidine to stop you from feeling sick. Narcotics can have a sedating effect on the baby.

Epidural anaesthesia (an epidural):

Locally-acting anaesthetic or other drugs may be used to block the nerves that carry pain. The most common way of giving pain relief by this method is by using an epidural. An epidural is an anaesthetic given through a fine tube in the lower part of your back. This gives complete pain relief for the majority of women who have it.

There may be medical situations where an epidural may be advised or recommended (for example, if you are having twins, you have high blood pressure, you have a breech presentation, or forceps are necessary). Epidural or spinal anaesthesia may also be used to provide anaesthesia for a Caesarean section.

This article was written by Claire Halliday for Kidspot, Australia's parenting resource for during your pregnancy. Sources include The Mercy Hospital For Women, Melbourne and The Women and Children's Hospital, Adelaide.